Ferrill's Foliage

November

BULBS TO PLANT: Agapanthus, Allium, Alstroemeria, Anemone, Amaryllis, Bletilla, Calla, Crinum, Crocus, Daffodil, Freesia, Hyacinth, Hymenocallis, Ipheion, Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Muscari, Narcissus, Ornithogalum, Ranunculus, Sparaxis, Sprekelia, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

HERBS TO PLANT: Borage, Burnet, Caraway, Catnip, Celeriac, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Lemon Balm, Mexican Mint Marigold, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Winter Savory, Sorrell, Thyme, Yarrow.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gaillardia, Hollyhock, Lupin, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Pinks, Poppy, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Verbena, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ajuga, Alyssum, Bluebonnet, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chinese Forget-me-not, Columbine, Cornflower, Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gazania, Hollyhock, Indian Blanket, Liatris, Lupin, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage And Kale, Pansy, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Physostegia, Pinks, Primula obconica(german primrose), Salvia, Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Violet.

VEGETABLES: Carrots, Chard, Lettuce (leaf types), Mustards Greens, Radish, Spinach, Turnip. If any chives, garlic or multiplying onions need to be transplanted do it now.

Thin out and transplant overcrowded perennial seedlings

Continue cleaning beds, adding healthy debris to your compost pile. Clean up and replenish all mulch for the winter. A thick layer of mulch will protect roots from freezing and winter drying. On tender plants mulch the crown.

Rake leaves from yard. Too many leaves will damage grass. Add leaves to compost pile.

Complete planting of spring bulbs, except for tulips and daffodils which should be chilled for 4 - 6 weeks before planting.

Plant new fruit trees, shrubs and trees. When planting fruit trees know if they are self pollinating or if they need a pollinator. When planting trees know how tall, wide, and if they have invasive roots. Don't forget the root stimulator.

MUMS - When they have finished blooming, cut flower stalk almost to the ground, leaving just the lowest group of leaves per stalk, this will encourage root growth.

Quick freezes are coming. Plastic covering should not touch plants but can be used on top of sheets, newspaper or what ever else you use. Cover must be removed when the temperature rises.

Add organic matter to your strawberry beds, this will ensure a good crop next spring.

Soil test should be done every 2 to 3 years to determine soil needs.

Run mower and trimmer engines dry of gas, drain and change oil now or in spring. If in need of repair take to shop now to avoid rush later. Clean and oil all tools before storing for winter.

Things to do in September

BULBS TO PLANT: Allium, Anemone, Calla, Cyclamen, Colchicum, Cooperia, Dahlia, Dietes, Hemerocallis (daylilies) Hymenocallis, Louisiana Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Narcissus, Oxalis, Ranunculus, Scilla, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Arctotis, Bell of Ireland, Calendula, Columbine, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gerbera, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gaillardia, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Phlox, Physostegia, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Stokes Aster, Verbena, Violet.

VEGETABLES late this month as weather cools Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Kohlrabi and Mustards Greens.

Dig and divide perennials like daylilies, iris, violets, cannas and other spring bloomers.

Keep watering to ensure good spring blooms on flowering trees and shrubs. Bloom buds are already set and lack of moisture now will cause lack of blooms in the spring.

Take cutting of coleus and geraniums for potting and replanting in the spring.

Fertilize mums every 2 - 3 weeks until buds appear, then weekly until buds show color.

Keep w**ds under control. Mulch will help. Mulching is not meant to eliminate your garden chores, it just makes them easier.

ROSES - Continue feeding, watering and mulching. As cooler weather approaches, water in the morning to discourage mildew and black spot.

As weather cools clean up beds. Dispose of all old stalks and dead leaves. Dust with sulphur to control fungus. Add fresh mulch if needed.

Twig girdler (cutting insects) increase activity in the cooler weather attacking the soft summer growth on trees, especially mimosas, pecans and oaks. Spray trunk and branches with malathion every two weeks through October.


Start compost pile

Prune to remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Lightly prune pyracanthas so berries will show.

Things to do JUNE

BULBS TO PLANT: Amaryllis, Canna, Crinum, Dahlia, Hemerocallis (daylilies).

HERBS TO PLANT: Keep blooms pinched off basil, to encourage more leaves. Put a sprig of rosemary in your car for a refreshing smell.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Balsam, Castor Bean, Coleus, Cockscomb, Cosmos, Four O Clocks, Marigold, Perwinkle, Portulaca, Tithonia, Torenia, Vinca, Zinnia.

PLANTS TO SET: Acalypha, Ageratum, Ajuga, Balsam, Begonia, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Carnation, Chocolate Plant, Chrysanthemum, Cockscombs, Coleus, Copper Plant, Cosmos, Croton, Daisies, Echinacea, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Geranium, Gomphrena, Lantana, Lobelia, Marigold, Periwinkle, Portulaca, Purslane, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, Stokes Aster, Torenia, Verbena, Vinca, Zinnia.

VEGETABLES: Malabar Spinach (a climbing summer spinach) likes a little shade. Okra, Southern Pea, Peanut, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Water Spinach

Take cuttings of your favorite soft stemmed plants like angel wing begonias or coleus to save for next year.


Camellias and Azaleas are setting blooms for next season. Make sure they are well mulched fed and watered. They will reward you when they bloom. Yellowing leaves on azaleas shows lack of iron.

MUMS - Keep shoots pinched back to encourage more branching and blooms.

Strawberries need fertilizing. Apply when dry 2 - 3 lb of a well balanced fertilizer per 50 foot row as soon as you have finished your harvest.

LAWNS - St. Augustine should be mowed to a 2" to help protect the roots and reduce stress. Keep mower blades sharp. It makes a cleaner cut and keeps grass healthy.

Pinch the blooms of caladiums and coleus. Keep dead heading spent flowers off other flowering plants.

Continue w**ding and cultivating. Replenish mulch as needed. Mulch 2" - 3" deep will hold down w**ds and hold the moisture in the soil so mulch, mulch and mulch some more.

ROSES: This month is the best time to do propagation of antique or old garden roses.

A midsummer pick -me -up. Petunias get leggy in the middle of summer. Cut back stems to 6" and then feed and water. Within a few weeks they'll have color again.